This biennial program pairs informative educational sessions presented by industry experts with a trade show. More than 14 sessions are offered over two days to highlight new technologies, best practices and address challenges found with utility pole structures and related overhead systems. Engineers, operations and purchasing personnel from utilities and service companies from throughout Western North America have the opportunity to network at the interactive trade show open throughout the conference. The trade show features more than 40 vendors offering hands-on demonstrations of the latest pole products and innovations in the industry. Vendors encouraged to display.
General Details
Program Chair
Doug Long, Project Manager, Puget Sound Energy
Program Location
Embassy Suites Portland Airport
7900 NE 82nd Ave
Portland, OR 97220
Who Should Attend
- Engineering professionals
- Operations managers
- Purchasing professionals
- Materials managers
- Environmental professionals
- Utility pole program and project managers
- Service companies providing pole and overhead structure materials, treatments, or related products.
Registration Options
Member Conference Registration: $449
Regular Conference Registration: $549
Member Conference Registration + Vendor Display: $649
Regular Conference Registration + Vendor Display: $749
+ Booth Assistant: $300
Prices increase $100 after August 17. Conference registration includes all sessions, meals and optional networking dinner. Booth assistant passes are available for $300 each once the main vendor registration is complete and include all food events. Members of NWPPA have access to WEI member pricing for this program.
For more information contact Anna Sanger Reed, Program Manager at 503.688.2795.
Agenda
Wednesday, September 09, 2015
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Registration + Breakfast
8:00 AM – 8:15 AM
Welcome + Conference Overview
Facilitator: Doug Long, Project Manager, Puget Sound Energy
8:15 AM – 9:00 AM
Keynote: State of the Industry
Speaker: R. Patrick Reiten, President and Chief Executive Officer, PacifiCorp Transmission
We kick off our event with an overview of the current challenges and changes we are facing as an industry. This is a very exciting time to be working in the electric industry as we anticipate and adapt to rapidly changing customer needs and new innovations in technology for providing power. Hear a leadership perspective on what these changes mean for our work today and in the future.
9:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Pole 101
Speaker: Butch Bernhardt, Sr. Program Manager, Western Wood Preservers Institute
Where do wood poles come from? From tree to finished pole, there are many steps involved in growing, identifying, processing and pressure treating wood poles before they can be purchased and used. Learn about the factors that are considered from the very beginning for each pole, the preservatives that are used in treating wood poles, and the implications all of these factors can have in getting a safe, reliable and long-lasting wood pole.
9:15 AM – 9:45 AM
Managing and Maintaining a Healthy Pole Asset System
Speaker: Scott Bostrom, Senior Electrical Engineering Specialist, Seattle City Light
Hear from one of your industry peers with Seattle City Light about how decisions are made around pole life, and pole inventory management. Seattle City Light has developed a pole assessment program designed to efficiently keep the pole system up to date by optimizing both pole lifespan and budget use. Learn how the many factors involved in utility pole decisions are navigated to achieve the best possible result.
9:45 AM – 10:15 AM
Break with Vendor Displays
Wi-fi internet throughout event sponsored by Pole Socks. Login information provided at table.
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM
Steel and Swamp Land
Speaker: Douglas Long, Project Manager, Puget Sound Energy
Learn about how Puget Sound Electric adapted equipment and strategies to complete a complex and unique construction. The Thurston 230 kV Project was a 3.5 mile double-circuited 230 kV electric transmission line build in the Thurston County area of Washington State to provide increased capacity to a growing customer base and to improve reliability to Thurston County. This involved specialized drilled pier foundations and rebar cage assemblies in very wet and heavily permitted wetlands.
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM
Optimization of Wood Pole Plant Performance
Speaker: Benjamin Butera, Director – Product Management, Osmose Utilities Services, Inc.
We’ll explore the latest developments and advances in getting the most out of wood pole performance. Learn about what you can do to ensure that you’re maximizing the life of the wood poles you have in service and prep new wood poles for the longest possible life.
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM
Steel Maintenance
Speaker: Dr. Zee Zamanzadeh, Director, Materials and Corrosion Engineering, MATCO Services, Inc.
Corrosion is a serious threat to steel poles, but can be avoided with the proper prevention strategies and management. Learn about the latest innovations for fighting corrosion while we connect new and exciting corrosion engineering research with practical and tangible applications for your work today and in the future. This presentation will cover the topics of corrosion assessment, cathodic protection, coatings, grounding and stray current.
12:15 PM – 1:45 PM
Lunch with Vendor Displays
Sponsored by:
1:45 PM – 2:15 PM
Utility Poles + Wildfires
Speaker: Mark Pritchard, Operations Manager, Okanogan County PUD
Wildfires are an increasing concern for many regions across the west. Hear from Okanogan Public Utility District about their recent experience with a severe wildfire and the resulting damage. We’ll explore what was done during and directly after the fire to plan the reaction and begin the repairs. We’ll also hear about the important factors to consider when rebuilding to minimize damage and asset loss in future fires.
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Joint Use Overview
Speaker: Jason Nemjo, Joint Utilities Specialist, Clark Public Utilities
Joint use issues can complicate utility pole and overhead system management, especially if decisions makers aren’t aware of how to execute and manage effective agreements that benefit all parties. We’ll hear best practices on managing existing violations, best practices for establishing and maintaining relationships with local contacts, including communication in your design, and holding all sides accountable.
3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Break with Vendor Displays
Sponsored by:
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Pole Disposal + Pole Storage
Speaker: Jeffrey Morrell, Professor, Dept of Forest Products, Oregon State University
It’s important to understand all of your options for utility pole disposal and storage. Cost, convenience, and environmental impact are all important factors. Well explore some of the new disposal and storage plans being implemented by utilities.
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
California’s New Rule on Wood Pole Loading
Speaker: Heide Caswell, DIrector of Network Performance Department, PacifiCorp
Changes in rules and regulations can have major implications on how work should be done. Stay ahead of the curve by learning about a new rule in California for wood pole loading and what it means for utility pole systems across the region.
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Phase Raisers
Speaker: Paul Morgan, Transmission Engineer, PNM Resources Inc.
For one southwestern utility, Phase Raisers have proven to be an efficient and effective tool to resolve ground clearance issues and optimize line ratings. Public Service Company of New Mexico have installed over 1500 Phase Raiser assemblies at voltages ranging from 46kV through 345kV. Learn about Phase Raiser applications, advantages and challenges. See examples of recent projects.
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Reception with Vendor Displays
Followed by dinner on your own.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Breakfast
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Computer-Based Pole Loading Calculations
Speakers: Mike Rigney, Product Manager, O-Calc Pro, Osmose Utilities Services, Inc.
Otto Lynch, Vice President, Power Line Systems, Inc.
Brett Willitt, Vice President, SPIDA Software / IJUS
We’ll run an example calculation through three different pole loading calculations to compare the features and advantages of each approach. Learn about what tools and resources are available when choosing the best calculation software for your projects.
9:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Lineman Perspectives on Different Types of Poles
Speaker: Michael Brown, Construction Mainetenance Superintendent, Clark Public Utilities
What makes pole materials and design elements more or less difficult to work with from a linemans perspective? Well hear about how the decisions made from a design and management perspective result in advantages or challenges in the field for the employees who do repair and maintenance work every day.
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Break with Vendor Displays + Hotel Check Out
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Avian Protection
Speaker: Haley Edwards, Senior Resource Scientist, Puget Sound Energy
An effective avian protection plan can not only protect local wildlife and keep your utility in compliance with state and federal regulations, but can also help you maintain power reliability for your customers. Learn about the background of avian protection laws and regulations, considerations and factors for identifying risk, and how to make electrical infrastructure safer for birds.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Utility Pole + Overhead System Problem Solving
Facilitators: Aleksey Shkuratkov, Pacificorp and Doug Long, Puget Sound Energy
Doug Long, Project Manager, Puget Sound Energy
Benefit from the wealth of knowledge in the room as we address the most pressing questions and challenges that have not already been addressed or discussed. Conference attendees will spend some time talking at their tables about issues they are currently facing and would like to explore, and decide on one to raise to the rest of the audience and identify new perspectives and possible solutions.
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch with Vendor Displays
Sponsored by:
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
What’s New in Wood Alternatives
Speaker: Deepa Akula, Structural Engineering Manager, McFarland Cascade, a Stella-Jones Co.
While wood poles have many advantages, there are other options to be considered based on the factors at hand for your utility. Hear an update on product availability, advances and features for laminated wood poles, woodpecker resistant wood crossarms and woodpecker resistant wraps for wood poles using composite materials technology.
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Use of Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones) for Pole Inspection
Speaker: Kevin J. Gould, CEO, Hawk Aerial
Recent advances in drone technology are creating tremendous opportunities for improvement in time, cost and safety. Come hear how drone systems work, how they can be applied in our industry and what the future is likely to hold in this realm. Learn about the technology, operational guidelines, regulatory issues and services available, and how this rapidly evolving technology could revolutionize an important part of our business.
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Closing Comments
Facilitator: Doug Long, Project Manager, Puget Sound Energy
3:15 PM
Conference Adjourns
3:15 PM – 3:45 PM
Conference Wrap up
Hotel + Travel
Embassy Suites Portland Airport
7900 NE 82nd Ave
Portland, OR 97220
Phone: 503.460.3000
Reservation Instructions
Please contact the hotel directly at 1.800.821.5879 to make your room reservations. Use the code “we1” to receive a special rate of $199/night. In order to use this code, you must check-in on 9/8 and checkout 9/10. Rooms and rate are available until August 31st or until the block is full. You can also make your reservations online.
The Embassy Suites Portland-Airport hotel is the perfect place to relax in ultimate comfort in one of our 251 two-room Portland suites. Our large bedrooms include one king-sized bed or two double beds and a private dressing area. Spacious living areas feature a full-sized sofa bed and a large, well-lit dining or work table. Included in each Portland Airport hotel suite is a range of home comforts, including a microwave, and coffeemaker as well as two televisions with complimentary premium channels.
Start the morning off right with a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, and gather each evening to socialize with friends and family during our Evening Reception*. Appreciate the on-demand airport shuttle, overnight parking ($10), and high-speed internet access (fee applies).
Driving Directions
From Pearson Field Airport (6 miles):
Take I-205 North to Mill Plain East exit. Follow Mill Plain east until you pass Pearson Field, take you first left after the Pearson Field.
From Portland-Troutdale Airport (10 miles):
Take I-205 South to the I-84 East Exit, Take exit #17 and follow the airport signs.
Vendor Displays
Vendor Display Schedule
Wednesday, September 9
7:00 AM – 9:45 AM: Check-in & Set-up
9:45 – 10:15 AM: Break and Trade Show
12:15 – 1:45 PM: Lunch and Trade Show
3:00 – 3:30 PM: Break and Trade Show
5:00 – 7:00 PM: Reception and Trade Show
Thursday, September 10
7:30 – 8:00 AM: Coffee and Trade Show
10:00 – 10:30 AM: Break, Trade Show and Hotel checkout
12:00 – 1:30 PM: Lunch and Trade Show
1:30 PM – 5:00 pm: Tear Down
Vendor Registration Options
Member Conference Registration + Vendor Display: $649
Regular Conference Registration + Vendor Display: $749
+ Booth Assistant: $300
Prices increase $100 after August 17. Conference registration includes all sessions, meals and optional networking dinner. Booth assistant passes are available for $300 each once the main vendor registration is complete and include all food events. Members of NWPPA have access to WEI member pricing for this program.
Arrangements for power, audio visual equipment, or other supplies may be made directly through Kevin Sullivan at 971.255.4973.
Selecting Your Display Location
The selection of location is first come, first served, and registrants may request top choices during registration. Display locations are subject to change or reconfiguration based on the amount of vendor participation and the resort’s function space. Registrants will receive a separate booth assignment confirmation from WEI after completing a registration.
Registered Vendors (as of August 23)
AAIR
Aerial Inspection Resources
Arch Wood Protection, Inc.
Brooks Manufacturing Co.
DIS-TRAN
Genics Inc.
Hawk Aerial
Hughes Brothers, Inc.
ikeGPS
INNER-POLE
Intec Services, Inc.
Laminated Wood Systems, Inc.
McFarland Cascade, a Stella-Jones Co.
McWane Poles
Osmose Utilities Services, Inc.
Pacific Steel Structures, LLC.
Poles, Inc.
Polesocks LLC
Sabre-FWT
SPIDA Software / IJUS
SSI Maxim Company
Stephens, McCarthy, Lancaster LLC
Sustainable Management Systems
Valmont-Newmark
Varasset
William Frick & Co.
Wood Care Systems
Vendor Shipping Instructions
Embassy Suites Portland Airport
Attn: Receiving
7900 Northeast 82nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97220
Packages should arrive no earlier than three days prior to the conference start date. All packages should include: Conference Name, Conference Dates, Number of Boxes.
Questions regarding Vendor Displays?
Kevin Sullivan
Senior Program Manager
971.255.4973 or sullivan@westernenergy.org